Study Abroad

The Application Process and Pre-Departure

Who is eligible to study abroad?

All Lock Haven University students enrolled in full-time courses and non- Lock Haven
University students who pay tuition directly to our university are welcome to apply.
All applicants are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5, and they must also have
completed at least 24 credits.

In what countries can I study?

Lock Haven University maintains partnerships with universities in more than 20 different
countries. Some of the most popular destinations to study abroad include: Australia,
China, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, and Spain.

Can I student teach overseas?

Yes, in collaboration with the College of Education and Human Service, student teaching
programs are available for our students in Australia, Croatia, Ireland, Mexico, and
Spain.

When are the application deadlines to study abroad?

In order to study abroad for the fall semester your application should be submitted
by March 1st. The deadline for spring semester programs is October 1st. Summer programs
have different deadlines, but generally require a deposit by the middle of January.

I do not speak a second language. Will I still be able to study abroad?

Yes, many of our programs do not require you to speak a second language fluently.
For example, you can complete all of your coursework in Austria, Brazil, China, Germany,
Japan, Poland, South Korea, and Spain in English.

Who can provide letters of recommendation for me?

Three letters of recommendation are required to complete your application. Your advisor,
resident director, and/or any of your professors can complete the recommendation forms
for you. It is important that you ask individuals to provide letters of recommendation
that know you well.

When will I learn whether I have been accepted to a study abroad program?

Notification letters are generally mailed within three weeks after each deadline.

How do I register for classes overseas?

After you receive your acceptance letter to study abroad, simply stop by our office.
We will assist you in scheduling your overseas classes.

Will I need a passport and/or visa?

You will need to have a passport to study abroad. Some countries require you to also
obtain a visa from their embassy before you can travel to their country. The information
on how to acquire a passport and visas (if necessary) will be given at the orientation
programs organized for students accepted to study abroad.

Financial Issues

How much will it cost me to study abroad?

All of Lock Haven Universities programs require you to pay standard full-time tuition
and fees directly to our university. plus an additional $150 study abroad fee. You
will also need to pay for your flight to and from the host country. Room and board
expenses will vary depending upon the university that you will study at. In some instances,
you will pay this amount directly to LHU and in others you will pay it to the host
university or directly to a private provider. Room and board charges are usually very
similar to Lock Haven's. They are slightly more in some countries and slightly less
in others. The changing value of the U.S. dollar accounts for much of this difference.

How can I pay for room and board charges at the university that I study abroad?

All of the universities will accept cash payments or bank transfers. Some will accept
credit cards and travelers checks for payment.

Will my financial aid continue if I study abroad?

Yes, most financial aid will continue to apply while you study abroad. While you will
not be on our campus during your study abroad experience, you will remain a Lock Haven
student and nearly all of your aid should apply.

How much spending money will I need?

This depends upon how much you plan to travel while studying abroad, where you are
studying abroad, and your usual spending habits. The issue will be discussed in detail
at the study abroad orientation sessions.

Overseas

Can I work while studying abroad?

It is strongly recommended that you do not work while studying abroad. In most countries
it is illegal for you to work. You will want to spend your free time abroad experiencing
the country and culture that you are visiting.

Do I have to live in the residence halls provided by the university or can I find
my own housing?

It all depends on which partner university you are studying at. Some programs allow
you to live off campus and some do not. The specific information for each of the partner
universities and their housing arrangements are available on the fact sheets.

Can I open a bank account in the country I am studying? Is it recommended?

In most cases it will be legal for you to open a bank account in the country that
you are studying. Where this is the case, the IIS strongly advises you to open an
account and keep your money there.

Should I take US dollars or should I take travelers checks?

The IIS suggests that you take only small amounts of US dollars and local currency
with you. In most countries, it will be possible to access your US bank account with
a MAC/ ATM (or similar) card.

Do I need health insurance while I am abroad?

It is mandatory that you have health insurance while studying abroad. Students accepted
to study abroad will receive further information about various insurance programs
and levels of necessary coverage at the orientation sessions. For more information
regarding health insurance while studying abroad, go to the Travel Insurance Review.

Coming Back

Will all of my credits transfer back to Lock Haven after studying abroad?

Yes, your grades and credits will be sent to the IIS directly from the partner university
that you studied.

How long will it take to receive my grades?

Grading systems are different in every country and sometimes between universities
in the same country. It will take several weeks to transfer your grades to our student
system and have them entered at the Lock Haven University Office of Enrollment Services.
The delay in receiving your grades from your study abroad site can occasionally result
in up to a four month delay in your grades being recorded at the Office of Enrollment
Services.

Can I extend my study abroad experience?

Generally, it is possible to extend your study abroad experience for an additional
semester. If you wish to continue your study abroad experience, please contact Rosana
Campbell at the IIS as soon as possible. You can e-mail at: rcampbel@lockhaven.edu

How do I register for classes for my next semester at LHU while I am abroad?

You will need to work closely with your LHU advisor via e-mail while you are abroad
to select and enroll on-line for the necessary courses to complete your program of
study at LHU. It can be very helpful if you make tentative selections of these courses
before you leave to study abroad.

How do I register for LHU housing for when I return from studying abroad?

Our advice is to register before leaving to study abroad. Make sure the housing office
knows you are going to study abroad in a particular semester/year and that you intend
to return to on-campus housing.